Forklift pipe cradle

Abstract

A pipe cradle for gripping a pipe using a forklift is disclosed. The pipe cradle includes a first cradle attachment, wherein the first cradle attachment including a first concave face, and a second cradle attachment, the second cradle attachment including a second concave face. The first and second concave faces are positioned to face each other when the first and second cradle attachments are positioned on a corresponding first and second fork of the forklift.

1 . A pipe cradle for gripping a pipe using a forklift comprising:
 a first cradle attachment, the first cradle attachment including a first concave face;   a second cradle attachment, the second cradle attachment including a second concave face,   the first and second concave faces positioned to face each other when the first and second cradle attachments are positioned on a corresponding first and second fork of the forklift.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe cradle of  claim 1 , wherein the first cradle attachment further comprises a first sleeve portion, the first sleeve portion coupled between the first concave face of the first cradle attachment and the first fork of the forklift. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe cradle of  claim 2 , wherein the first fork of the forklift is generally rectangular in cross-section, and the first sleeve portion is generally tubular and configured to fit about the first fork. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe cradle of  claim 2 , wherein the first sleeve portion is coupled to the first fork by a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe cradle of  claim 1 , wherein the first cradle attachment further comprises a first cradle portion, the first cradle portion including the first concave face and coupled to the first fork. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe cradle of  claim 5 , wherein the first cradle portion is formed from a section of pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe cradle of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one support structure extending between the first fork and the first cradle portion. 
     
     
         8 . The pipe cradle of  claim 1 , wherein the first cradle attachment further comprises a first sleeve portion, the first sleeve portion coupled to the first fork, and a first cradle portion, the first cradle portion including the first concave face and coupled directly to the first sleeve portion. 
     
     
         9 . The pipe cradle of  claim 8 , wherein the first sleeve section includes at least one rib extending therefrom, the rib extending to the first cradle portion and positioned to increase the strength of the joint between the first sleeve section and the first cradle portion. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe cradle of  claim 8 , wherein the first sleeve portion is coupled to the first cradle portion by at least one of welding, brazing, bolting, riveting, or screwing. 
     
     
         11 . The pipe cradle of  claim 8 , wherein the first cradle attachment is formed by extrusion. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 positioning a first cradle attachment on a first fork of a forklift, the first cradle attachment including a first concave face;   positioning a second cradle attachment, on a second fork of the forklift, the second cradle attachment including a second concave face, the second concave face generally parallel to and facing the first concave face;   positioning, by moving the forklift, the first and second cradle attachments on either side of a pipe, the pipe generally aligned between and parallel to the first and second concave faces;   moving the first and second forks towards each other;   contacting the pipe with the first and second concave faces;   lifting, by raising the first and second forks, the pipe;   moving the pipe.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 lowering the first and second forks;   positioning the pipe at a desired location;   moving the first and second forks away from each other.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first cradle attachment further comprises a first sleeve portion, the first sleeve portion coupled between the first concave face of the first cradle attachment and the first fork of the forklift. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein positioning the first cradle attachment on the first fork further comprises sliding the first sleeve portion onto the first fork. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising locking the first sleeve portion to the first fork. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first cradle attachment further comprises a first cradle portion, the first cradle portion including the first concave face and coupled to the first fork. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first cradle portion is formed by:
 cutting a pipe section having generally the same radius as the pipe;   cutting the pipe section at least once laterally to form two annular sectional segments.   
     
     
         19 . A method for manufacturing a cradle attachment for gripping a pipe using a forklift comprising:
 providing a pipe section having a radius generally the same as the pipe to be gripped;   cutting the pipe section at least once laterally to form two annular sectional segments;   coupling each annular sectional segment to a fork of the forklift such that the convex inner surface of each annular sectional segments faces the inner surface of the other annular sectional segment.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 coupling each annular sectional segment to a corresponding sleeve segment, the sleeve segments configured to couple to the forks of the forklift.